Clasp



W. H. STEVENS.

CLASP. APPIICAHON FILED MAR. 2:, 191a.

Pamnted July 6, WWW

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hpeeification of Letters Patent.

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application filed March 21, 1913. Serial No. 2233209.

To all whom it may rrcmccm lie .it known that l ViLL'nin ll. S'rnvnns, a citizen of the Ll nited titates, residing at New il'orh. in the county of New York and flitatc of New York, have invented certain new and useful lnnqrovements in Clasps, 01 which the :i'following is a specitication.

lrly invention relates to clasps adapted to support garments of various character, at lnz h it is not limited to this adaptation. i object ct my invention is to provide '3- clasp which is formed from a piece oi material, and which by virtue l is siin iilicity may be readily and quickly appl' d to eil'ectively support vrn'ions terms of garments in prodetermined positions.

l: will now describe one form of clasp embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereot in claims.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing in. front elevation, one term oi clasp embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp shown in 1.

l igs. 3, 4t and 5 are views of: the clasp shown in lligs. 1 and 2, showing the same applied. to various terms of? garments.

Edimilar reference characters reter to similar parts in each of the several views.

ltleferringto the drawings, the clasp is designated generally at it, and is termed tlirom a single piece of resilient material, such as metal, celluloid or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the clasp A is of substan tially ovate formation in outline, and is curved transversely as shown in Fig. 2, so that the outer and inner sides thereof are of convex and concave formation respectively. The clasp comprises arcuate end portions 10, and curved side portions 11, which lat ter portions are oil? greater width than the end portions and protrude beyond the gen eral outline oi the clasp for the purpose of reinforcing the clasp, and at the same time acting bearing siu'itaces tor the fingers to tacilitate manipulatioi'i of the clasp. [is the end portions are narrower than the side portions 11, the clasp is weakened along its longitudinal axis, and as the clasp is curved transversely, it will be evident that the clasp may be readily bent inwardly along its longitudinal axis.

Extending inwardly from each side portion 11 are integrally formed gripping tongues 12, which tongues are arranged in divergent relation to each other and which termimite at one side of the longitudinal axis of the clasp. its shown in Fig. 2, the tongues 12 are inclined upwardly or outwardly toward their tree ends so that they are normally disposed exteriorly of the convei; side of the clasp. As shown in Fig. 1,

. the gripping tongues 12 formed on one side portion 1.1 are disposed in confronting re lation to the gripping tongues formed on the other side portion, and adjacent gripping tongues are aiilaq'ited to coact with each other to form clasps. The free ends of the tongues 12 are broadened to provide longitudinally extending gripping edges 13, the gripping edges of adjacent tongues being arranged in spaced parallel relation but in, what 1 term, gripping positions. That is, the positions which the tongues assume when they are actively engaging a garment.

From the foregoing it will be manifest, that when the clasp is in the normal position, as shown in 1, the gripping tongues assume gripping positions, but that when they are bent inwardly toward the concave side of the clasp, they will be moved to non-gripping positio s, or to positions wherein they may receive the garment to he clasped.

By virtue of the fact that the gripping tongues are arranged in divergent relation to each other, an opening 1 1 of substantially diamond shaped formation is produced. This opening 14: is for the purpose of adlnitting and guiding a garment between the gripping tongues 12.

in practice, when the clasp is used for the purpose of supporting garments of any character, a portion of the garment is gathered and passed through the opening 14, while at the same time the clasp is bent along its longitudinal axis thus moving the gripping tongues to non-gripping positions and permitting the gathered portion oi the garment to slip between the gripping edges 13. Upon releasing the clasp, the gripping tongues assume their normal or gripping positions, thus causing the gripping edges 13 to el'igage the garment and thereby securely retain the garment between the gripping tongues. 10 remove the clasp from the garment, all that is necessary is to push the gripping tongues inwardly so that they again open, but in the reverse direction, thus permitting the withdrawal of the garment, as will be understood. This clasp is v such, that it may be applied with one hand,

its

the garment being inserted through the opening 14: by means oi the thumb, while two fingers bear upon the side portions 11 thus causing the clasp to bend and opening the gripping tongues to receive the garment.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I have here shown one application of the clasp wherein the same is used as a sleeve holder. As here shown, the clasp is applied vertically and a gathered portion of the sleeve is passed through the opening 14-, so that the sides of the gathered portion extend between the gripping tongues 12. This forms an ei'leo tive sleeve holder while at the same time the clasp may readily more to conform to any movement of the arm.

In l, the clasp is used for the purpose of supporting hose, and as here shown it assumes a horizontal position, the hose being gathered so that the diameter thereof is constricted to effectively engage the limb,

whereupon this gathered portion is inserted into the clasp so that it slips between the gri aping tongues and thus retains the hose in extended position upon the limb.

ln Fig. 5, is shown a further application of my invention wherein the same is used for connecting an outer shirt. and underdrawers, holding down the shirt and holding up the drawers.

As here shown, the clasp A occupies a vertical position and the shirt and undergarment are gathered at corresponding points and inserted so that the upper and lower pair of tongues 12 engage the undergarment and shirt respectively. The clasp may be applied by first inserting the shirt and then the undergarment, so that in effect, the two garments cooperate to restrain each other against movement by virtue of the clasp.

Although I have herein shown only one form of clasp embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of: the ai ipendcd claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. A device oi the class described comprising a one piece transversely umcaved frame having a central opening therein, the end walls of said frame being weakened to permit bending of the frame along the longitudinal axis thereof, and courting gripping tongues connected to the frame and lisposed upon opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said frame.

2. A clasp comprising a transversely eoncaved frame l resilient material, coactin; gripping tongues formed integrally with said irame said tongues being disposed within the frame and normally occupying gripping positions, said frame being wealv med along one axis to permit heading: thereof to cause said gripping tongues to occupy non-gripping positions.

8.1%. clasp comprising an ovate frame formed of resilient material. divergent gripping tongues normally occupying grippinp positions and disposed within and upon op posite sides of the longitiulinal axis of said frame, said frame being weakened transversely to permit bending thereof longitudinally to move said gripping tongues to non-gripping positions.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

\VILLIAM H STEVENS. 

